Iris Maxine Terrell Oakley

Iris Maxine Terrell Oakley, 87, passed away on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at her childhood home. Iris was born on October 31, 1938, in Caswell, County, N.C. to her parents James Boston Terrell and Annie Bronna Aldridge Terrell, who preceded her in death. Iris was the second of five children (Larry Terrell, Brenda Massengill, Karen Yeatts and Rex Terrell).

Iris grew up with her siblings in the home built by her maternal grandparents. Most residents in the small community were relatives who sustained their families through gardening and farming tobacco. Iris’ father Boston was also a carpenter, cabinetmaker and part-time barber.

In addition to gardening and farming, life in the community centered around family and faith. Iris was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Caswell Ward). Time outside the fields and taking care of the home consisted of playing with cousins, visiting family members, and attending church and youth activities on Sundays and during the week. In those days it was common for relatives to stop by for a visit, help shuck corn under the pecan trees or get a haircut from Boston on the back porch.

Iris met Freddie Joe Oakley at a party held by one of Iris’ cousins. They began seeing each other during school and corresponded by letter during the summer after school was out. Iris said she lived to get a letter in the mail and to see Freddie ride up the road while she was working in the fields. At the young age of 16, Iris married Freddie Joe Oakley on July 31, 1955. Just a couple of years later they began their family and over a period of the next seven years welcomed three children to their home, Melody Lane Oakley Andrews, Stanley Joseph Oakley, and Brian Scott Oakley. That little family has grown significantly over the years. Iris and Freddie have been blessed with eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Freddie; daughter, Melody Oakley Andrews (Barry) and their daughter, Kelly Christensen (Andrew) and her family, Ben, Elle and Kate Christensen; their daughter, Ashley Lavin (Chris) and her family, Katelyn, Daniel, Aaron and Emily Lavin; and their son, Collin Andrews (Holly Kovach) and his family, Jayce and Brayden Andrews; and their son, Kyle Andrews; and their son, Bradley Andrews (Alicia Thayer) and his family, Holden and Henry Andrews; and their daughter, Hayley Allen (Jason); Iris’ son, Stanley Joseph Oakley (Sheree Anderson) and their daughter, Nicole Oakley and her children, Dillon and Macie Wood; their daughter, Julie Freese (Chris) and her children, James and Maxine Freese; and their son, Joseph Oakley (Briana Molfetta) and his children, Millie, Noah, Charlie and Levi Oakley; and Iris’s son, Brian Scott Oakley (Vonda Taylor) and their daughter, Caroline Gordon (Brian) and her son, Olive Gordon; and their son, Brian Oakley (Lauren Schmaltz) and son, Logan Oakley.

Iris worked hard all her life to support her family. Iris was known to say that it didn’t matter what she did but was determined to always do her best. During the early years of her marriage Iris worked several factory jobs and most always exceeded expectations. She often worked through breaks and lunches to earn and save money for a new home which she and Freddie were able to build in 1967. Several years later Iris was hired by Byrd’s Food Center in Burlington as a delicatessen manager for their store in Graham, N.C. Iris transitioned what was originally a very simple salad and sliced meat deli to a full-service operation making daily lunch and meals, baking cakes and pies, and providing full meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Iris’ final work adventure was organizing and managing Baynes General Store in Anderson, N.C. Iris changed the format from a small convenience location into a full- service local grocery and had a huge following throughout the community.

Iris found joy in preparing meals, making baked goods, and serving her family and the community. Her German chocolate pies, Italian cream cakes, and coconut cakes were family favorites. Every holiday meal was truly a feast.

Iris enthusiastically embraced the love she felt for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was truly a blessing to all who knew her and were blessed by her love and friendship.

A service to celebrate Iris’ life will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 7, 2026 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Caswell Ward) by Bishop Danny Ouzts with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 Friday evening at Lowe Funeral Home & Crematory and other times at the home.